History of Fencing at Trinity CollegeResearch by Suzanne Clayton, 2002

"Fencing has been practiced at Trinity since the
college was founded, as dueling was commonplace among the gentry for
one hundred and fifty years
thereafter. John Hely-Hutchinson, Provost TCD, 1774-1794, promoted fencing
as a manly accomplishment and a 'Gentleman's Club of the Sword' existed
in the college in the 18th century. The present fencing club dates from
1941 and has blossomed in the Luce Hall. For many years, one of Ireland's
premier fencing clubs, Trinity has produced a string of International and
Olympic fencers and in 1990-91, the club retained the Russell Cup for Irish
Intervarsity fencing for a remarkable 13th consecutive year"

Dr. Trevor West, "The Bold Collegians" 1991.
(Dublin)

Early 1500s

Rapiers first developed

1592

Elizabeth I's charter founds Trinity College Dublin. Swords were
worn as everyday dress for the next 150 years. Reports of dueling within
college walls occur from the early 17th century to the early 18th.

1599

George Silver's "Paradoxes of Defence" published.

1602

Shakespeare's Hamlet first performed.

1603

Elizabeth I - James I

James I conquers Ireland. TCD students involved in duels between
those who supported William and the few that supported King James.
James turns college rooms into prison cells for dissenters, further
angering students.

1605

Miguel de Cervantes, "Don Quixote".

1625

James I - Charles I of England and Ireland

1649

Charles I executed. Republic until 1653 (Charles II)

1685

Charles II - James II

1689

James II - King William and Mary

1690

Battle of the Boyne

1700s

Blunt tipped fencing foil invented. Fencing gains a new respectability
and becomes a pursuit of the nobility and gentry. A 'Gentleman's Club
of the Sword' exists in Trinity throughout the 18th century.

1702

William II -
Queen Anne

1714

Queen Anne -
George I

1729

George I - George
II

1760

George II - George III

1763

Domenico Angelo, "The
School of Fencing"

1774

Trinity Provost Hely-Hutchinson wishes to build a fencing school,
horse riding arena, dancing and foreign language school in college
grounds to learn 'gentlemanly' pursuits, but these plans were denounced
by the board and widely satirised. Fencing was regarded as training
for duels, more than the modern Olympic sport is was to become.

15th April, 1789

Theobald Wolfe Tone, auditor of the TCD Historical Society reproves
members for dueling within college grounds.

"It
has been my fortune to be unwilling witness to many quarrels
in this
Society, very
few of which came to termination in the field,
and in none did any serious mischief occur, except to the reputation
of this institution. I did with great satisfaction congratulate myself
that the demon of dueling was laid, though not in a Red Sea, and,
as I hoped, would walk within these hallowed walls no more"

1800s

Swords no longer worn as everyday dress. The great fencing
masters - Angelo, Nadi, Pinao, Senac, defined techniques of the sport
of fencing.

1822

Walter Scott, "Ivanhoe"

1835

The Historical Society Auditor condemns the recent outbreak
of dueling in college.